GeoNetwork-ui code sprint in Berlin

At the end of January, we hosted the first GeoNetwork-ui code sprint in our Berlin offices. Over the course of three days, 15 participants from different countries, companies, and backgrounds—mostly developers, but also architects, product owners, and project managers—came together to collaborate and push the project forward.

What is GeoNetwork-ui?

GeoNetwork-ui is an open-source library and suite of applications designed to provide a modern, flexible user interface for GeoNetwork catalogs. It also includes web components that allow integrating metadata search and visualization into third-party websites. Several major platforms rely on GeoNetwork-ui, including:

• Swiss geographic catalogue,
• Lille’s OpenData catalog,
• the French IGN’s maps portal,
• Renne’s public portal for geodata,
• INRAE’s geodata portal, and
• many INSPIRE regional portals like those of Brittany, Hauts-de-France and Auvergne-Rh?ne-Alpes.?

Sprint Highlights & Achievements

The GeoNetwork community achieved several significant milestones:

• Advancement of the Metadata Editor: We focused on finalizing a stable, production-ready metadata editor. This involved refining the user interface for better usability and ensuring robust validation processes to maintain metadata integrity.
• Integration with OGC API Records: We explored connecting GeoNetwork-ui to an OGC API Records backend, aiming to enhance interoperability and streamline metadata management across platforms.
• Incorporation of Maps and Reuses into the Datahub: We worked on integrating maps and data reuses into the datahub, enriching the repository's content and providing users with more comprehensive geospatial resources.
• Implementation of End-to-End Testing: To ensure the reliability of GeoNetwork-ui, we developed comprehensive end-to-end tests. These tests simulate real-world user interactions, helping us identify and address potential issues proactively.
• Exploration of Server-Side Rendering (SSR): We investigated SSR to improve search engine optimization (SEO). By rendering content on the server side, we aim to enhance the discoverability of metadata records through search engines.

These accomplishments not only enhanced the GeoNetwork-ui project but also strengthened our community by fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants.

Beyond code contributions, the event was valuable for onboarding newcomers. Experienced contributors had the chance to guide new participants, ensuring broader adoption and understanding of the project.

What’s Next?

The sprint was highly productive, and the momentum will continue. We plan to organize more code sprints in the coming months to keep refining GeoNetwork-ui and strengthening its community.

Stay tuned for updates, and if you’re interested in contributing, feel free to reach out or join our next sprint!